1. Does morality or ethics always have to be about rules?
2. How would you define “virtue”? Can you give some examples?
After Reading
3. When Aristotle uses the word “virtue,” the Greek word that was originally used was arête, or “excellence”. How might this differ from our understanding of virtue?
4. How do we develop virtues? Explain Aristotle’s analogy with builders and musicians.
5. What is the role of government, according to Aristotle? Does Aristotle sound like any other philosopher we have covered?
6. What is the point Aristotle is making in his pointing out “good and bad lyre-players” and comparing it to virtue?
7. Where does “character” come from, for Aristotle? What do you think he means by “states of character”?
Critical Thinking
8. Develop a list (no more than ten and no less than five) virtues in your group that you think would be good for people to master. What justification do you have for these virtues?
Aristotle, “The End for Human Nature” (185-188)
Before Reading
1. What is your definition of “happiness”?
2. How would you define “the good life” or “the happy life”?
After Reading
3. Eudaimonia literally means ‘good’ (eu) ‘spirit’ (daimon). Aristotle uses this word when discussing what it means to lead the good life. After reading, how might you translate eudaimonia?
4. According to Aristotle, what role does pleasure play in the good life/the happy life?
5. Explain what Aristotle means here: “But no one assigns to a slave a share in happiness—unless he assigns to him also a share in human life. For happiness does not lie in such occupations [slavery], but, as we have said before, in virtuous activities” (186).
6. What role does virtue play in happiness?
7. Why does Aristotle claim that the “life according to reason is best and pleasantest, since reason more than anything else is man” (188)?
Critical Thinking
8. What role does contemplation or reason play in happiness?
Epicurus, “The Pursuit of Pleasure” (188-190)
Before Reading
1. Recall what Aristotle said regarding pleasure and “the good life.” Did you agree or disagree?
2. Do we all secretly desire immortality?
After Reading
3. What does Epicurus say about death? Also, summarize what he says about how people feel about death.
4. How does Epicurus classify our desires?
5. Epicurus states we should desire to avoid pain and fear. Explain how this might be key to “good life”.
6. Epicurus discusses seeking pleasure as being key to life. He warns us, though, not to misinterpret him. How have others misinterpreted him?
Critical Thinking
7. Have you ever heard of the term “hedonism”? Look it up if you haven’t heard of it, and see how—if at all—it applies to Epicurus.
Epictetus, “A Stoic View of Life” (190-193)
After Reading
1. Consider 11, the idea that we should never say that we “lost” something, but that we “gave” it back. What are the stoics saying about emotional attachments? Why might this advice be hard?
2. Look at number 14. How are we all slaves in some way?
3. Examine number 48. How should we live our lives? What are signs of “making progress” for the good life of a stoic?
4. Look at 51. How might this be similar to Aristotle? How might it be different?
Critical Thinking
5. Do you think the Stoics offer good advice? Why or why not?
Reflection 2
This week’s reflection is a little bit different. It’s more open ended, but I would like you to address the following questions in your reflection:
What is “the good life” to you?
In your reflection you should explain what it means to live “the good life” or “the happy life.” You should try to approach the question to how you thought about “the good life” before the readings from this week.
What aspects of Aristotle, Epicurus, or Epictetus might help you live “the good life”?
Once you’ve explained what “the good life” is, you may want to talk about what pieces of wisdom you’ve taken away from Aristotle, Epicurus, or Epictetus. For this paper, I expect that you will choose two of the three philosophers.
This paper should be, at minimum, 1-2 pages and double-spaced.
Here is how I would like you to cite in your paper:
“Here is something Epictetus said” (Epictetus 190).
There is no need to use Singer’s last name or the title of the book.
Week Two
Journal Activities
Aristotle “Moral Virtue, How Produced” (26-27)
Before reading
After Reading
Critical Thinking
Aristotle, “The End for Human Nature” (185-188)
Before ReadingAfter Reading
Critical Thinking
Epicurus, “The Pursuit of Pleasure” (188-190)
Before Reading
After Reading
Critical Thinking
Epictetus, “A Stoic View of Life” (190-193)
After Reading
Critical Thinking
Reflection 2
This week’s reflection is a little bit different. It’s more open ended, but I would like you to address the following questions in your reflection:
What is “the good life” to you?
In your reflection you should explain what it means to live “the good life” or “the happy life.” You should try to approach the question to how you thought about “the good life” before the readings from this week.
What aspects of Aristotle, Epicurus, or Epictetus might help you live “the good life”?
Once you’ve explained what “the good life” is, you may want to talk about what pieces of wisdom you’ve taken away from Aristotle, Epicurus, or Epictetus. For this paper, I expect that you will choose two of the three philosophers.
This paper should be, at minimum, 1-2 pages and double-spaced.
Here is how I would like you to cite in your paper:
“Here is something Epictetus said” (Epictetus 190).
There is no need to use Singer’s last name or the title of the book.
Your paper is due at 9 PM Friday night, by e-mail (mrjungteacher@gmail.com).
Here is how you will be graded: